|
Deep Vein ThrombosisDeep Vein Thrombosis is the formation of a thrombus (blood clot) within a deep vein, commonly in the thigh or calf. It is not unusual for the blood to clot from time to time, but most clots go unnoticed. They are small, cause no symptoms, are dissolved over time by the body, and need no treatment. There are times, however, when the body cannot dissolve the clot on its own, or the clot causes health problems that must be treated. Clots that interfere with the normal flow of blood or may affect organs that are vital to health and life must be diagnosed and treated early to avoid serious illness or death. The deep veins that lie near the center of the leg do most of the work of the venous system. Nearly all – 85 percent – of the circulating blood is returned to the heart through these veins. DVT – the formation of a clot (or thrombus) in any one of these veins – can be a very serious problem. Typically, the clot comes on suddenly and without warning. If not treated, DVT can block the blood supply to the legs and cause tissue death or gangrene that requires the removal (amputation) of all or part of the leg. A related condition, called Venous Occlusive Disease, is diagnosed and treated the same as DVT. DVT also can lead to valve damage in the vein and a chronic condition, called venous stasis disease that is difficult to treat.
With early treatment, patients with DVT can reduce their chances of developing a life threatening pulmonary embolism (PE) to less than 1 percent. The Interventional Radiologists of RANK can treat both DVT and PE through catheter-directed thrombolysis, in which blood clots are dissolved without surgery through the injection of "clot busting" drugs directly on the clot through a catheter. Facts:The tendency of blood cells to "stick together" and form clots depends on a combination of two factors:
DVT may be related to prolonged periods of bed rest or inactivity, injury to the vein, surgery or pregnancy. In addition to restricting the flow of blood, there is risk that the clot may break off, travel through the heart and get trapped in the lung (pulmonary embolism) – a potentially fatal complication. Risk Factors:A family history
Diagnosis:he presence of deep vein thrombosis is most often confirmed by ultrasound. Ultrasound is a painless procedure in which a radiologist or technician moves an instrument (transducer/receiver) about the size and shape of a computer mouse across the outside surface of the skin. Sound waves are transmitted through the skin and allow the technician to "see" the size, shape and texture of the patient’s veins. A picture is displayed on a computer screen as the radiologist or technician takes the ultrasound. Your interventional radiologist will use ultrasound to assess the venous anatomy, vein valve function, and venous blood flow changes, which can assist in diagnosing deep vein thrombosis. The doctor will map the greater saphenous vein and examine the deep venous systems to determine if the veins are open and to pinpoint any thrombus formation. The saphenous vein, which runs the length of the thigh, is one of the major veins of the leg. Magnetic Resonance (MR) Angiography is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that creates an image of the arteries in the brain. A magnetic resonance (MR) scanner uses harmless but powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the body's tissues. Computed Tomograph (CT) Angiography uses computers to generate detailed pictures of the blood vessels, and can be helpful for planning of interventional procedures. Treatment Options:Traditional treatments for DVT include:
A new Interventional Radiology technique called catheter-directed thrombolysis is a minimally-invasive treatment that breaks down existing clots that interfere with the normal flow of blood.
|
